Kyrgyzstan selects first-ever team for a WorldSkills Competition

Only a few months after its membership was ratified at WorldSkills General Assembly in Dublin, Ireland in September 2023, Kyrgyzstan successfully ran its first national WorldSkills championship.

Kyrgyzstan selected three skills for the event: Cooking, Fashion Technology, and Welding. Following district-level competitions held in December 2023 with students from government-run Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) lyceums and schools, the winners were invited to take part in the nationals from 20 to 22 February in Bishkek, the capital city.

The official launch on 20 February was attended by key decision-makers within the Kyrgyz TVET system, including members of Parliament, the Minister of Education and Science Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva, and the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration, Gulnara Batyrova. Representatives from industry and international organizations were also present.

“Thanks to the support of the KASEF Public Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Science, and each of you here today, the young people of Kyrgyzstan can participate in skills competitions under the WorldSkills banner, meaning accessing the rich experience and knowledge of our global network,” said David Hoey, WorldSkills International CEO, speaking via video.

“Today, we recognize all young, skilled people in Kyrgyzstan who aim to build a bright future for themselves and their communities. That is why we must invest in them, we must nurture them, and we must give them the right skills to meet future demands,” he added.

A total of 19 students and 15 Experts took part in the Competition, which was held in two different locations simultaneously. Kyrgyz State Technical University hosted Cooking and Fashion Technology, Welding took place at Professional Lyceum No. 4.

The winners received their awards at the Closing Ceremony on 22 February, revealing the three young people who would represent Kyrgyzstan at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

In the coming months, the Competitors will receive training to prepare them for the international stage. The KASEF Public Foundation is establishing partnerships with other WorldSkills Members to provide guidance and support.

In addition to the three Competitors, Kyrgyzstan’s first delegation to a WorldSkills Competition will include three Experts, the KASEF Public Foundation team, and representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science.

“Hosting the first National Championship in Kyrgyzstan was an exciting experience for us. It demonstrated a wide interest and support from the government, the parliament, and leading industries. WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan will synergize all the efforts to encourage the young people to develop their skills, increase the attractiveness of vocational education and strengthen international partnerships and exchange of experience," said Maksat Mamytov, CEO of the KASEF Public Foundation.

The national competition also helped to raise awareness about WorldSkills Kyrgyzstan, with coverage of the Opening Ceremony across national media, and increased interest in supporting and developing the country’s TVET system.